Well clean-up tool with improved cleaning member

Abstract

Well cleaning apparatus comprises a tubular body member attached to a work string which supports one or more resilient and pliable cleaning members. Each cleaning member is provided with a means for allowing bypass as sized and adapted to wipe the well casing. In one embodiment, the apparatus may be used to plunge the well with the cleaning members providing the sealing relationship with the well casing.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of cleaning a well, the method including the step of running a work string into the well, the work string supporting one or more cleaning members adapted to plunge the well by sealably engaging the well casing such that the majority or substantially all of the well fluid below the one or more cleaning members is caused to flow up a bore or channel provided in the work string to the surface. 
     
     
       2. A method as claimed in  claim 1  further including cleaning the well casing by the contact of the cleaning members thereon. 
     
     
       3. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further including sucking the well fluid up the work string using a vacuum system or pump. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further including filtering the well fluid, preferably at surface and thereafter directing the fluid back into the well. 
     
     
       5. A method as claimed in  claim 1  further including pressuring up behind the one or more cleaning members so as to rupture a disc to enable fluid bypass after plunging the well.